Multiple action interval timer



July 24, i934.

R. D. SMITH MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Filed Feb. 2, 19123 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 24, 1934. R. D. SMITH MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Filed Feb. 2, 19123 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 24, 1934.* R. D. SMITH MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Filed. Feb. 2. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 24, 1934. R. D. SMITH MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Filed Feb. 2, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 24, v1934. R. D. SMITH MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Filed Feb. 2, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR Patented July 24, 1934 UNITED STATES 1.967.270 y MULTIPLE ACTION INTERVAL TIMER Raymond D. Smith, Pleasantvilla'N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Tremont Products Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts Application February 2,

30 Claims.

This invention relates to timer mechanism involving a slow-moving, time-giving means such as a clock movement and particularly in which the clock or other slow moving mechanism is inactive except during the period when the controlled device, such as a gas valve or electric switch, is subject to timercontrol. Such kind Vof timer mechanism Iprefer to designate as an interval timer rather than a time switch or time valve, the latter being terms commonly employed to designate time-controlled mechanism of a kind in which the clock is continuously running, usually for a week, and wound up only after it has well run down.

Among the particular problems solved by my present invention is the provision of simpler and cheaper time control for enabling an electric switch, gas valve, or other occasionally wed agent, to be tensioned by hand actuation for two or more automatic successive functions to take place at respectively different times as governed by the time mechanism after the latter is set in action.

By the present invention I accomplish this, in the case of an ordinary rotary snap switch, by making use, for effecting the automatic timecontrolled functions, of the same switch operating spring which in the ordinary switch acts to cause the snap action of the switch contacts responsive to hand actuation of the switch control button. I am thereby relieved of the expense and complication of providing an additional switch-actuating motive means as has lheretofore been employed in time switches and a consequent decrease results in the cost and number of parts employed.

The present invention provides a single time movement with appropriate control means or timer hands constituting a common means for accomplishing all of the following functionsz for winding the main or driving spring of the movement, for indicating the time for which the clock will run and the time at which the switch will be automatically actuated thereby and also for operating the contacts directly by hand if desired without waiting for the set time to elapse so that by establishing respectively' different settings of a plurality of the said timer hands, the automatic actions of the switch can be predetermined as to time and manual or non-automatic actions effected. A store-keeper may thus set my improved interval timer to perform the double action of turning his window lights on, say, at 8 oclock, and ofi again at 11 by one setting of the device, or a house-wife may cause the current for the heating oven of her electric range to come on at 3 oclock in the afternoon and go Mass., a corporation of 1923, Serial No. 616,549

(Cl. Z200-39) off at 5 oclock for cooking the evening meal while she is absent. Through vsuitable circuit connections the double circuitcontrolling action of this switch may operate, iirst, to reduce and then to extinguish the controlled lighting circuit for uses in the poultry business where it is desired to have a period of reduced light before darkness to give time for the fowl to iindtheir roost.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope is particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view of the interval timer with casing, switch button, and timer hands removed, and certain parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side view looking at the right of Fig. l showing the casing and parts of the control hands, certain parts being shown in central vertical section and other parts being broken awayk to better show the construction as hereinafter described.

Fig. 3 is a view of the switch detent mechanism taken on plane 3-3 in Fig. 2 looking in direction of the arrow.

Fig. 4 is a view of the pawl and ratchet controlling inter-relation of the timing cams and is taken in section on the plane 4 4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the switch and timer levers as positioned when switch is in on position and not tensioned for time-controlled action.

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 3 with position of parts corresponding to position of switch in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view of the lock members for switch operating shaft taken in section on plane 7--7 in Fig. 2, parts being positioned to correspond with Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows the position of timer cams when the timer hands point at zero and corresponding to the position of switch shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 shows the switch in on position tensioned for timer controlled escapement to off position.

Fig. l0 is similar to Fig. 3, position of parts corresponding to Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is similar to Fig. 7, position of parts corresponding to Fig.l 9.

Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 8 showing the timer cam that controls escapement of switch for movement to o position rotated so that slot in same is removed from register with timer lever and switch thereby held under tension in on position as shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 shows switch held in oi position by timer lever and tensioned for double automatic action at respectively dierent times. t

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 3, position of parts corresponding to Fig. 13.

lFig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 7, position of parts corresponding to Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 8, both timer cams being rotated to position for locking the timer levers.

Fig. 17 is a front view of the timer casing with switch button in on position, both timer` hands pointing to zero corresponding to relation of mechanical parts shown in Figs. 5 to 3 inclusive.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. l? showing switch in "on position but tensioned `for automatic escapement to "o position when the off timer hand returns to zero, the corresponding position of mechanical parts being as -in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive.

Fig. 19 is a similar View showing the switch in 0" position but tensioned for a double escapement, rst to on and then to oil position, the position of mechanical parts being as shown in Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive.

Fig. 20 shows in front view, corresponding to Fig. 1, a modified construction for eeeting clock control of the timer levers.

Fig. 2l shows the parts oi Fig. 20 in locking position.

Fig. 22 is a plan view partly in section, looking down on Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 shows a further possible iorm of the clock-controlled, lever-locking device.

Fig. 24 shows a construction whereby the timeindicating dial is carried by and in adjustable relation to the timer handle for certain useful purposes.

Fig. 25 is a view partly in section looking at the right of Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 shows a concentric instead of adjacent relation oi the on end o timer handles and Fig. 27 is a view looking up at Fig. 2d and is taken partly in central horizontal section.

Fig. 23 shows a special form oi switch dial to 'I indicate when the switch is cocked for automatic action. t

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. i showing the han. mechanism of my present improvement connected to operate a valve such as shown in my United States Patent No. l,335,b93, issued July lil, 192i, part oi the mechanism being taken in section on the plane 29--29 oi Fig. 3o looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3u is a view taken partially in section on the plane iii-30 in Fig. 2li looking in the direction oi the arrows.

y3l is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a verticali plane through the center of spinelle in Fig. l looking from the right and showing the irictional mounting oi ratchet wheel 39.

lin the drawings the same 'symbol designates the same part throughout the dierent views.

There are three main systems of mechanism in my improved interval timer; one, a rotary snap switch, which may be single or double pole or oi any desired circuit-controlling arrangement and shown in the drawings carried by the insulating base iii oi' porcelain or suitable material, and secured by screws il to the frame l2; the second system embodies a eicel: escapcment mechanism mounted in frame plates 13 secured tothe trame l2; andthe third system consists of various rotative parts including the on" timer lever 1i and the on timer lever 15 which are -scribe how they function in'my improved interval timer.

The porcelain base 10 of the snap switch carries on opposite sides thereof interconnected plates 18-l8a which serve as bearings for the switch shaft 19, this shaft by means of flats on same at diilerent points along its length,flxedly carrying a spring anchorage 20, cam 2l for operating the link 30 and a shaft-locking member 22.

The contacts of the switch comprise stationary spring clips 23 carried by two binding posts 24, for attachment of leading-in wires not shown;- one of which clips and binding posts is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 because falsely positioned to accord with Fig. l and there is a rotating blade structure comprising contact blades 25 mounted in insulated relation on the rotating barrel 26 with one end oi which the switch operating spring 27 engages; the other end of this spring engaging the shaft anchorage 20 and being thereby rotated with the shaft 19. At the base of the barrel 26 is flxedly carried a plate 28 having two downward projections 29, the space between same serving as guide for the projecting arm of the link 30 which as moved radially by cam 21 and rotatively by the projections 29 acts, as retaining andsnap-release detent, to control the follow-up movement of the barrel 26 relative to the shaft 19 by successive engagements and disengagements with the four teeth 31 on plate 18 (see Fig. 3). The switch mechanism thus far described operates on a principle common to most rotary snap switches with minor variations oi construction and l have added to such ordinary construction only the member 22 co-operating with pawl 32 at the base of the switch for holding the switch shait 19 rotatively advanced thereby to manually establish the tension for efiecting time controlled automatic, follow-up action oi the contact blades 25 relative to the shaft 19. as a means of locking the contact blades 25 against rotation ior automatic control, I provide the barrel 26 with radially extending arms 33 formed to give ample spacing 'from the electrically alive parts. The usual operating button 34 furnishes a means for manually turning the switch shaft.

The clock mechanism consists of a main spindle 35 to which one end oi the main spring 36 is attached. The other end oi spring 36 is anchored to the frame work so that the degree to which spring 3d is wound or unwound is governed by, and limited to, the movements oi spindle 35. The retarding mechanism may consist oi the usual hair-spring escapement and retarding gears of which the largest one 37 permits counter clockwise rotation of the spindle relative thereto through the action of a pawl 38 pivoted to gear 37 with the ratchet wheel 39 which ordinarily turns with the spindle 35. But instead of being fast to the spindle 35 the ratchet wheel 39 is irictionally mounted thereon by means of the axially acting thrust spring 39a, which presses ratchet wheel 39 to the right in Figs. 2 and 31 against the gear 37 which is backed up by the shouldered portion of spindle 35 to which the inner end oi' band spring 36 is anchored, spring 39a abutting against the nut 39h at its left end, which construction is old and well known in the art as witness the Patent 1,150,514 to J. W. Gibnei?, thus permitting spindle 35 to be rotated also in a clock-wise direction without corresponding movement of the gear 37, because of slippage between ratchet wheel 39 and spindle 35. But this friction is strong enough to permit the retardlng train to restrain the action of main spring 36 in the usual running of the clock.

0n the spindle 35 I fixedly mounted cam 40 which is to control the 01T action timer lever 15 by position of its peripheral slot 40a and on the hub 40h of cam 40 I loosely mount a similar cam 41 to control the On action timer lever 14 by position of its peripheral slot 41a and retained by the thrust collar 70. For the purpose of enabling cam 40 to drive cam 41 positively in a clock-wise direction while permitting cam 41 to be adjusted to different rotative positions relative to cam 40 in either relative direction, I employ a pawl 42 pivoted to cam 41 at 42a and co-acting with a ratchet wheel 43 ilxed to the hub of cam 40, this pawl 42 having a projecting arm 44 protruding through an opening 44a in cam 41 and adapted for engagement by whatever manual operating instrumentality is provided for adjusting the rotative setting of cam 41 in its diierent rotative positions. In the structure as shown, this operating instrumentality for cam 41 is the On timer hand 45 which acts on cam 41 through the medium of gear 46 on which it is mounted by means of a bracket 46a, pinion 47, and gear 48, the latter having a slot 49 engaging the projection 44 of pawl 42 and thereby acting on suitable occasions to release pawl 42 from its locking engagement with ratchet wheel 43. The cam 40 is operated directly by timer hand 50 which is xed to the end of its hub.

'I'here remains to be described the pivot construction of the timer levers 14 and 15 and the gear 46. The head of pivot stud 16, when the latter is tightly set, clamps rmly against the bearing standard 17, the following members.- bearing collar 51 of greater thickness than timer lever 15, stop bracket 53 for timer lever 15, spacer collar 55, stop bracket 54 for timer lever 14, bearing collar 51 of greater thickness than timer lever 14, pinion bracket 56, and bearing collar 52 of greater thickness than gear 46. A rigid mounting of parts 51, 53, 55, 54, 51a, 56 and 52 is thereby secured while permitting entire rotative freedom of timer levers 14 and l5 and gear 46.

The pinion bracket se 1s further located and held in position through engagement with the front frame plate 13 of the clock mechanism and carries a pivot stud 5'7 for pinion 47.

The spring 58 loosely coiled around the spacer collar 55 acts on levers 14 and 15 to urge the former counter-clockwise into `the path of arms 33 and out of engagement with the slot 41a, and to urge the lever 15 clockwise and into the path of arms 33 and out of engagement with slot 40a.

Before setting for automatic action the nor- Y mal position of the switch-operating button and stood in the art, and, therefore, the construction 'not herewith shown in detail.

Starting withr the controls positioned as in Fig. 17, at which time the mechanism is positioned as in Figs. 5 tos, it is apparent that successive turning of the switch button to the right will cause the switch to alternately snap o and on in the usual way without interference by the clock as timer levers 14 and 15 are then free to recede from the path of travel of the ends of arms 33 by dipping into slots 40a and 41a in cams 40 and 41, respectively, which cams are normally at rest in a position wherein said slots register with the ends of said detent levers, the spring 58 being weak enough to permit this yielding of levers 14 and 15, and the pivotal and angular relation of levers 14 and 15 being such with respectto the path of travel of arms 33, that the latter may thrust the former out of their path in passing.

If, as in Fig. 17, the switch is in the on" position and it is desired to set it to automatically snap to off position (to break the circuit) at a predetermined time, the oi timer hand 50 is turned to the left an amount corresponding to the desired time interval and then the switch button is turned to the right until it is felt to latch and hold. The arms 33 are prevented from following up the switch shaft 19 because the slot 40a in cam 40 has been removed from register with timerlever 15 and the latter is locked in the p'ath of arm 33 to restrain it as shown in Fig. 9. When so restrained the preponderance of the thrust of arm 33 against lever 15 is taken by the pivot bolt 16 and only a small component of this thrust is transmitted as pressure on the cam 41. Also the switch shaft 19 is caught and held in its rotatively advanced position by this action of pawl 32 and member 22, thus establishing tension in the switch-operating spring 27, tending to move the blades 25 to break the circuit. This movement of the blades cannot occur, however, untilv arms 33 are released by the timer lever 15, which takes place when the clock, which begins to run as soon as timer hand 50 is removed from zero, has returned timer hand 50 to zero position and slot 40a to position permitting the dipping of detent lever 15 thereinto. From reference to Fig. 10, it will be seen that in the set" or cocked position of the switch parts the link 30 is positioned radially out of engagement with the stationary tooth 31 on plate 18 by the relative movement which has taken place between the cam 21 and the plate 28 as the latter is held back and the former advanced and that on time-controlled escapement of the arms 33 rotation of the link 30 with plate 18 while the cam 21 is still held stationary, will retract the link radially so that it engages with the next tooth 31 of plate 18 and assumes its usual function of stopping the switch blades 25, in their circuit-breaking position. So long as the timer hands 45 and 50 remain at zero it will be understood that this spring and link arrangement functions in the usual way to cause a quick make and break action of the switch as operated by hand turning of the button 34.

If, as in Pig. 19, the switch is in the oif position, and it is desired to set it to automatically snap first "on" and then of!" at respectively different and predetermined times,-then.both the olf" and on timer hands are turned to the left an amount corresponding to the respective desired intervals and, as before, the switch button is turned to the righi until it is feit to latch and hold. In this case, the arms 33 are iirst prevented from following up the switch shaft 19 by interception of timer lever 14 because the slot 41a in cam 41 has been removed 4from register with the end of same.

The clock now starts to run and rotates cam 40 and the ratchet wheel 43 in clockwise direction (Fig. 16). Through the engagement of pawl 42 with ratchet wheel 43, the cam 41, to which pawl 42 is pivoted, is rotated in unison with cam 40 and therefore through the medium of gear 48, pinion 47 and gear 46, the on action timer hand 45 is rotated back to zero in unison with 01'12" action timer hand 50, on their respectively different centers. When the on action timer hand 45 reaches zero, slot 41a in cam 41 comes to register with detent lever 14 and arms 33 are permitted to escape and the switch snaps to the on" position and makes" the circuit. Before this escapement parts are positioned as shown in Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16. After this first escapement parts are left positioned as in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 andthereby under control of the of action timer which proceeds, as has heretofore been fully described, to operate as in the case of the single escapement action. -Attention is called to the performance of link 30 during this double `automatic escapement. Before the first escapement it was positioned as in Fig. 14. Keeping in mind that the switch shaft 19, and, consequently the cam 21, remains stationary during all time-controlled automatic actions of the switch, it will be seen that in traveling from the position in Fig. 14 to position in Fig. 10, the link 30 travels first outwardly a little way and then begins to return inwardly, but does not return far enough to interfere with the next tooth 31 on star plate 18, so that the switch is left free for its second automatic escapement to off position when released by the detent lever 15. Obviously, a gear and rack or any of the well-known forms of rotary snap switch spring and detent construction could be substituted for the link 30 and cam 21.

Returning now to the mechanism by which the cam 40,pos itlvely impels cani 41 in a clockwise direction, but is released from the connection by which it so impels said cam when the latter is positioned at zero, it is seen from reference to Fig. 4, that when the pawl 42 is driven against the stationary pinion bracket 56 the latter acts as a stop and the former is swung on its pivot to release from engagement 'with ratchet wheel 43,

after which the cam 41 is stopped from further clockwise travel because pawl 42 is limited in its swing, but the cam 40V is freely permitted so to continue its travel to zero where it is stopped by engagement of its stop lug 62 with a projection 63 on the casing. Another lug 64 on cam 40 engages with lug65 on cam 4l to limit the possible time settings of latter to positions rotatively intermediate that of cam 40 and zero position. 1n other words, the on action timer hand 45 cannot be set to consume a greater interval of time in its return to zero than can the ofi action timer hand 50. The stops 62, 63, 64 and 65, imposing these limitations of travel on cams 40 and 41 have been shown on the drawings where they could be pictured most clearly without regard to preferred construction as would be em ployed in practice.

Referring further to the inter-operative relation of cam 40 and cam 4l it will be seen that with the oif" action timer hand 50 positioned, say, as in Fig. 19, the on" action timer hand 45 is free for setting to any position intermediate that of the hand 50 and zero, for the reason that the natural yielding of pawl 42 permits independent clockwise turning of hand 45 and thewheel 39 to also permit independent counterclockwise turning of hand 45 within the limits above described, when turned by its designed operating hand 45.

The U-shaped spring 66 is anchored in a hole 67 in gear 48 and passing through an elongated slot 68 in said gear is anchored at its other end in a hole 69 in cam 41 for the purpose of preventing any pressure of gear 48 on pawl 42 tending to unlock same when the clock is driving both cams in their set rotative relation back to zero'position. This spring, however, permits the small amount of lost motion between gear 48 and cam 41 by which the pawl 42 is manually unlocked for time-setting.

Although, as a simple embodiment, the escapement-controlling detent mechanism in Figs. l and 2 is shown as consisting of the simple two pivoted timer levers 14 and 15 bearing directly on the clock-driven cams 40 and 41 during the entire timing interval whereby the switch arms 33 are restrained from action, I4 may, within the scope of this invention, relieve the clock cams from even this continual slight pressure of timer levers 14 or 15 during running of the clock, by separately mounting shiftable lock members to lock and unlock levers 14 and 15, as, for example, the pivoted cams 71 and 72 inFig. 20.

Ilfwo independent -bracket supports 73 and 74 are provided with pivot screws 75 and 76 giving preferably a frictional mounting by means of which lock cams 71 and 72, while shiftable, by the 4clock for locking and unlocking levers 14 and 15 retain such position as they are left in. Taking the place of cams 40 and 4l, I may provide the revolving pins 77 and 78, respectively, having the same driving relation to each other and to the clock spindle 35 as have cams 40 and 41. Fig. 20 shows the unlocked position of cams 71 and 72 and Fig. 2l shows the locking position. The pins 77 and 78 may pass cams 7l and 72 in either direction of rotation actuating them in one direction to locking position and by passing in the opposite direction, to unlocking position. Many schemes of timer action are made possible by this principle and will suggest themselves to those skilled in this art as entirely within a mechanics skill and requiring no further exercise of invention as, for instance, the use of members 7l and 72 and of members 71a. and 72a or of the movement thereof to in other ways aiect or cause movements of switch contacts for circuit controlling action, and the clock-driven parts, as before described, are subjected to no pressure by the thrust of the switch arms 33 when the switch is cocked.

1n Fig. 23 is shown a modified form rof lock members corresponding to cams 7l and 72 in Figs. 20, 21 and 22, whereby the springs 79 and 80 normally urge the cams 71av and 72a4into locking positions, but yield to the pressure of pins 77 and 78, when the latter are driven against `same by the clock. The stop pins 81 and 82 limit the swing of cams 71 and 72 so that the latter may act as a positive stop for pins 77 and 78 in positions of the latter corresponding to zero positions of the timer hands 45 and 50.

Referring to Figs. 24 and 25, in the practical use of an interval timer it is often the case that the user habitually sets the timer to act at a certain hour of the day and as the time-indicating dials in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 serve only to indicate intervals of time that will elapse before the automatic switch action, it becomes necessary for the user to each day mentally compute the elapsed time for which he must set the switch, knowing the time of day at which he sets it and the time of day he wishes it to act. I am aware that it is an old expedient to make a dial with time-indicating graduations rotatively adjustable on the casing as a means for mechanically computing the elapsed time and obviously any of the time dials herein shown as stationary such as 45a and 50a could be so made rotatively adjustable if desired as in the case of dial 86a in Figs. 26 and 27 which latter dial projects from the casing to be rotatable relative thereto, but I believe it new with this invention to provide such a time-indieating dial carried by, and rotatively adjustable in relation to, the time-indicating and setting handle, by which certain important advantages are derived. Assuming, for instance, that it is the users habit to set the action for 2 oclock each day, he will adjust the time-graduated ring 83 in Fig. 24 so that the pointer on the setting hand points at 2 oclock. Then at whatever time of day he happens to cock the timer for action, he has but to turn the pointer on 84 and therewith the ring 83 until the stationary arrow 85 registers with the actual time of day, no interval of time requiring to be computed and no double adjustment both of the dial and of the setting hand being required as is the case wherein the ring 83 or its equivalent is adjustably carried by the casing instead of by the setting handle.

In Figs. 26 and 27 I show how several of the parts in Figs. 1 and 2 may be done away with by providing gear 48 with an operating drum 86 concentric with "oif action timer handle 50 and' carrying graduations to register with the latter. In this arrangement drum 86 is assumed to connect directly with gear 48 and serve as a substitute for parts 47, 46, 46a and 45. Dial 86a projects from the casing to be adjustable as above mentioned in respect to dial 83 which expedient in the use of dials graduated to represent hours has previously been practiced and enables the setting of the time pointers directly at the time of day the automatic actions are desired to take place if the graduation on the dial representing the present time of day is first turned to register with the starting position of the time pointers at zero which may be indicated by the usual index or other mark represented at 85 in Figs. 24 and 25. This avoids the necessity of computing intervals of time when it is desired to set the device to act at future predetermined times of day.

Fig. 28 shows how a specially marked switch indicator dial 87 may act to indicate not only the position of the switch, whether on or od, 'fout also to tell whether or not the switch is cocked for time-controlled automatic action. It will be noticed from reference to Figs. 5 and 9 that a slight rotative advance of the arms 33 accompanies cooking of the switch. As arms 33 carry the switch-indicator, by providing the latter with two closely adjacent markings, one, only, of those markings may be made to show in the casing window when the switch is not cocked, but both markings to be made visible by the slight rotative advance of arms 33 above reerred to. Thus only the word 0E or on can be made visible when not under timer control and the additional word set may be caused to come into view when the switch is cocked for timer control, thereby to indicate this special condition of the switch.

By adding a duplicate of the timing mechanism of the switch, it will be seen that four automatic actions of the switch could as well be controlled by one setting of the device.

This Idouble action form of timer mechanism is as easily applicable to effect and time the double action at different pre-determined times of a gas valve or other agent when the latter is provided with automatic actuating means equivalent to the switch-spring 27 of the disclosed embodiment. Thus, the valve shown in my Patent No. 1,385,098, issued July 19, 1921 could be made to both open and close under time control by one setting of the timer under the principles of the present invention.

Thus, in Figs. 29 and 30 it is within the scope,l

of a mechanics skill to provide a gas cock 90, like the gas cock 12 of my above mentioned patent with operating connection, as for example, the gears 91 and 92 to the rotor 26 whereby spring 27 may cause the actuation of said cock according to the principles of this invention. It would be a convenient expedient to provide cock with a seating in a solid portion 93 of the frame 12 through which gas ports 94 and. 95 may be cut 01T or put in communication by the port 96 in vcock 90 by consecutive Sli-degree turns of the latter vcorresponding to the 90-degree positionings of the contact blades 25 in Fig. 1- whereby the flow of gas may be governed between the inlet 97 and outlet 98 threaded to receive piping connection. It will be understood that no invention is herein claimed in the substitution of a gas cock for electric switch contacts 23 and 25 to be controlled by handle 34 through the medium of spring 27 with or without operation of the timing mechanism and that claims directed specifically to the inclusion of a gas cock or device other than electric switches, in combination with the present improvements in `timing mechanism are subject matter of applications for United States patent divisional herefrom.

It will be noted in Figs. 29 and 30 that I have shown cam 40 impelled in reduced speed ratio to the rotation of spindle 35 by a set of reduction gears 99, 100, 101 and 102 just as cam 40 of my Patent 1,385,098 is impelled in reduced speed ratio to the spindle 43 by the reduction gears 70, 81, 82 and 42 of said patent; the slow time pointer 103 functioning as does pointer 72 of my issued patent.

I, therefore, do not limit the scope of the invention to the precise mechanisms and construction pictured and described, but what I claim isz-- 1. In combination, a uni-directional rotary snap switch contacter, a handle movable in advancing stages of progressive travel to tension the said contactor for successive current switching follow up movements relative to said handle. a spring connecting said contacter to said handle to cause said follow up movement, a xed detent, a cam operated by said handle and co-operating with said iixed detent rst to detain said contactor in arrears of said handle and then suddenly to'release said contacter for quick spring.

caused follow up movements relative to said handle responsive to successive advance movements thereof, a catch to hold said handle relatively in advance of said contacter, and a detent operative independently also to detain and release said contacter while tensioned by said spring in arrears of said handle, together with a time determining means operative to control said detent.

2. In a timer, a, time-retarded, spring driven rotor, two switch operating members normally urged to a stop-determined position by said rotor,

mine the period of timer action, one of said han- 'dles being also connected to wind the rotor spring,

and connection between said members permitting their separate manual adjustment to 'diierent l relative positions, said connection normally holding said members in their manually established relation to cause them to be driven in unison by the clock. f

3. In a multiple action timer, in combination, two switch actuating members, a 'spring driven timing mechanism, a handle for operating one of said members, a separate handle for operating the other of said members and also having con- -nections for winding the spring-of the timing mechanism, and a connection between ,said members rendering them relatively adjustable by said 4two handles but maintaining them in xed relation when unobstructed to be driven in unison by the timing mechanism.

4. In combination, a uni-directional rotary snap switch contacter, a handle movable in the same direction to tension the said contacter for current switching movement, a spring connecting said contacter to said handle, a xed detent i'or causing snap action of said contacter, a cam operated by said handle in co-operation with said iixed detent to rst detain and then suddenly release said contacter for quick springcaused follow up movements responsive to successive advance movements of said handle, a catch to hold said handle relatively in advance of said contacter and a plurality of time controlled detents operative, to detain and release said contacter while tensioned by said spring and in respectively V'different positions in arrear of said handle.

5. In combination, a uni-directional rotary snap switch contacter, a handle movable in the same direction to tension the said contacter for current switching movement, a spring connecting said contacter to said handle, a xeel detent for causing snap action of said contacter. a cam operated by said handle in co-operation with said iixed detent to first detain and then suddenly. release said contacter for quick springcaused follow lup movements responsive to suc-' cessive advance movements of said handle, a catch to hold said handle relatively in advance of said contacter and two time controlled detents operative to detain and release said contacter first in circuit breaking position and next in cir-.-

cuit making position while tensioned by said Spring. v

6. In combination, a uni-directional rotary l snap switch contacter, a handle movable in the same. directionte tension the said contacter. for

current switching movement. a spring connecting said contacter to said handle, va nxed detent for causing snap action of said contacter, a cam operated by said handle in co-operation with said -ilxed' detent to rst detain and then suddenly release said contacter for quick spring-caused -causing lsnap action of said contacter, a cam operated by said handle in co-operation with said xed detent to rst detain and then s'uddenly release said contactorfor quick springcaused follow up movements responsive to successive advance movements of said handle, a catch to hold said handle relatively in advance of said contacter, a time mechanism, and detent means conditioned by said time mechanism to arrest and release said contacter thereby to delay and predetermine the time of the follow up movement of said contacter responsive to said handle.

8. In timing mechanism for an electric switch, common means to operate the switch manually and to condition said switch for automatic action under control of the timing mechanism and indicator means operative to show the position of the switch and also operative to indicate whether said switch is or is not conditioned for control by said mechanism.

N9. In an electric switch timer embodying Ta switch contact member tensionable for quick movements between successive circuit-controlling positions, in combination, aplurality of detents conditionable to hold and to release said member in a plurality of its said positions, a spring driven time mechanism with timers impelled thereby so to condition said detente, and having a common handle both to wind the spring of said mechanism and to position said timers thereby tey predetermine the times of their action upon saidrdetents, together with power means. operative to advance said switch member through a plurality of its said positions under the control of said detents.

l0. In combination with a uni-directional rotatable switch contact, means to tension the same for progressive movements to successive circuit controlling positions, and timer mechanism driven by a spring to control the said contact movements responsive to said means includinga time setting handle operable to predetermine the time said mechanism shall be active upon said contact and connected simultaneously to wind the driving spring for said mechanism.

11. In combination with a uni-directional rotatable switc contact, means to tension the same for p ogressive movements to successive circuit controlling positions, and timer mechanism driven by a spring to control the said contact movements responsive to said means including a time setting handle operable to predetermine the time said mechanism shall be active upony said contact and connected to wind and unwind the driving spring for said mechanism.

12. In combination with a uni-directional 1ro-"135 tatable switch contact, means to tension the same for progressive movements te successive circuit controlling positions, and timer me hanism driven by a spring to control the said ontact movements responsive to said means including a time setting handle operable to predetermine the time said mechanism shall be active upon said contact and said handle being reversely movable to reduce the time setting after any winding of said spring thereby. I 145 v 13. lIn combination with rotary snap switch mechanism comprising an operating shaft, a coaxial contact carrying sleeve rotatable around and relative to said shaft and nconnected by a spring thereto,-stationary detent means. and

a sliding member rotatable with said shaft and sleeve and movable radially inward and outward with respect to the axis of said shaft and sleeve by relative rotative movement between said shaft and sleeve, a catch positionable to intercept and free said sleeve for movement, and a time giving mechanism to govern the action of said catch.

14. In combination with rotary snap switch mechanism comprising an operating shaft, a coaxial contact carrying sleeve rotatable around and relative to said shaft and connected by a spring thereto,-stationary detent means, and a sliding member rotatable with said shaft and sleeve and movable radially inward and outward with respect to the axis of said shaft and sleeve by relative rotatlve movement between said shaft and sleeve, and time giving mechanism arranged to arrest and free said sleeve for movement independently of said means.

15. In a time-controlled snap switch mechalnism, a central switch operating shaft, a rotatable contact carrying sleeve surrounding said shaft, a spring in the space between said shaft and sleeve and connect.' ng the two, detent means at one end of said sleeve to cause intermittent spring impelled movements thereof responsive to turning o f said shaft, a stop member rotatable with said sleeve at the opposite end thereof and time controlled mechanism operative to arrest and release said stop member.

16. In a time-controlled snap switch mechanism, a central switch operatng shaft, a rotatable contact carrying sleeve surrounding said shaft, a spring in the space between said shaft and sleeve and connecting the two, detent means at one end of said sleeveto cause intermittent spring impelled movements thereof responsive to turning of said shaft, a stop member rotatable with vsaid sleeve at the opposite end thereof and time controlled mechanism operative to arrest and release said stop member, together with a latch operative to catch and hold said shaft rotatively advancedto tension said sleeve for later time controlled action.

1'7.l In a time controlled snap switch mechanism, a, central switch operating shaft, a rotatable contact carrying sleeve surrounding said shaft, a spring in the space between said shaft and sleeve and connecting the two, detent means at one end of said sleeve to cause intermittent spring impelledmovements thereof responsive to turning of said shaft, a stop member rotatable with said sleeve at the opposite end thereof and a spring driven time movement arranged to cause the arrest and release of said stop member.

18. In timer operated switch mechanism, a time giving movement including a ,power spring, electric circuit controlling contacts, a member connected to operate an, electric contact and to be impelled by said movement and to wind said movement spring, another member connected to operate an electric contact, and connection between said members permitting their variable relative adjustment to different rotative timing positions, said connection when undisturbed holding said members in their established rotative relation to cause them to be driven in unison by said movement.

19. In timer operated switch mechanism, a time giving movement, a power spring, a frictional clutchfor slippably coupling said movement and said spring, electric circuit controlling contacts, a member connected to operate an electric contact and to be impelled by said movement and to wind and unwind said movement spring, an-

other member connected to operate an electric contact, and connection between said members permitting theinvariable relative adjustment to different rotativetiming positions, said connection when undisturbed holding said members in their establshed rotative relation to cause them to be driven in unison by said movement.

20. In timer operated switch mechanism, a time giving movement including a power spring, electric circuit controlling contacts, a member connected to operate an electric contact and to be impelled by said movement and to wind said movement spring, another member connected to operate an electric contact, and connection between said members permitting their variable relative adjustment to diierent rotative'timing positions, said connection when undisturbed holding said members in their established rotative relation to cause them to be driven in unison by said movement, together with a rotatably mounted dial marked to register with said member thereby to indicate elements oftime.

21. In timer operated mechanism, a time giving movement including a power spring, electric circuit controlling contacts, a member connected to operate `an electric contact and to be impelled by said movement and to wind said `movements spring, another member connected to operate an electric contact, and connection between said members permitting theirvariable relative adjustment to different rotative positions, said connection when undisturbed holding said members in their established rotative relation and causing said first member lto be impelled' by the other said member. t

22. In timer operated switch mechanism, a` time giving movement, a power spring, a frictionalclutchforslippably coupling said movement and said spring, `a spindle connected with said spring for winding the same, electric circuit controlling switch contacts, connection between said spindle and a switch contact whereby the former operates the latter, a contact operating member and a \slippable clutch connection causing said member to be impelled by said spindle and also rendering said member rotatably adjustable relative thereto, and means preventing the rotative movement of said member relative to said spindle past a given point.

23. In timer 'operated switch mechanism, a time giving movement, a power spring, a slippable clutch coupling said movement and said spring, a spindle connected with said spring for winding same and having a stop determined zero position, electric circuit controlling switch .contacts, connection between said spindle and a switch contact whereby the formercauses the latter to break circuit upon arriving at its said zero position, a member connected to be yieldingly impelled by said spindle thereby to permit rotation of said spindle relative thereto when itself arrested, and also having a zero position, and connections whereby said member operates the switch contact to close the circuit upon arriving at its said zero position, so that said member and said spindle may, be absolutely 'and relatively set to cause automatic closing and opening of the circuit at predetermined and respectively different times.

24. In timing mechanism in combination, a time giving movement, .a power spring for impelling said movement, a spindle connected to turn in onedirection to wind said spring and to Vbe impelled by said spring .in the opposite direciso spindle to show movement thereof and to permit turn in one direction to wind said spring and to be impelled by said spring in the opposite direction, an indicator yieldingly connected to said spindle to show movement thereof and to permit at times rotation of said spindle independently of and relative to said indicator, and means positively limiting the extent of relative movement between said indicator and said spindle, together with a stationary stop disposed to limit the absolute movement of said spindle.

26. In timing mechanism in combination, a time giving movement including a power spring, a spindle connected to wind said spring when turned in one direction, a combined indicator and handle for turning said spindle and for indicating the degree of said turning, means whereby said indicator handle positively engages said spindle in direction to wind, a slippable clutch arranged softhat said indicator handle may be impelled in the opposite direction by said spindle and manually turned in said opposite direction independently of said spindle, together with a stop preventing more than a full turn of both said spindle and said member.

27. In a device of the character described, the combination of a spring, a clock movement, a frictional connection between them permitting independent movement of the spring, means-for winding the spring, means for indicating the degree of said winding, an electrical circuit closing and breaking device, means for operating the same to break the circuit connected with said Winding means and operable when the same.

moves 'to unwound position, a device connected with said winding` means but movable independently thereof, a connection between said device and said circuit closing and breaking device whereby the said circuit is closed when the said device is brought to home position, the construction and arrangement being such that the winding device may be moved te unwound position after the said device movably connected therewith has been brought to home position, whereby the circuit may be closed by the latter after a given` interval of time and broken by the former after the lapse of an inter-val of time thereafter.

A28. In combination with the mechanism specied in claim 27, a hand operated device for closing and breaking the circuit independently of the other means.

29. The combination of a winding shaft, a spring connected therewith to be wound thereby, a clock movement, a clutch connecting said spring and movement, and permitting independent movement of the former under abnormal stress, an electric circuit closing and breaking device connected with said winding shaft and arranged to be operated thereby, and a member operative to close the said circuit connected with said shaft but movable independently thereof to said circuit closing position, and means for detaining it in such position, a stop on said member and a member xed to the shaft in the path of said stop.

30. In the mechanism specified in claim 29, the said circuit breaking means connected with the shaft being arranged to operate when the said member on the shaft comes in contact with the stop. i

RAYMOND D. SMITH. 

